The exhibition commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Foundation of the University of Malta (1769 - 2019), 'A Nation of Achievers', was inaugurated by Prof. Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, at the Valletta Campus on Thursday 26 September. The exhibition is curated by Prof. William Zammit together with Mr Pierre Cassar.
The objects forming part of the exhibition, consisting primarily of scrolls awarded to University graduates, spanacross three centuries. Some of the scrolls belonged to illustrious personalities, such as Themistocles Zammit and Sir Ugo Mifsud and others to lesser-known personalities, but whose scrolls constitute veritable works of art. Other artefacts include the University coat of arms, the foundation stone (laid at the Msida Campus on 22 September 1964), the model of the Msida University Campus, together with the impressive ceremonial University mace, used for the first time during the ceremony of the installation in office of Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella on 30 June 2016.
The objects forming part of the exhibition, consisting primarily of scrolls awarded to University graduates, spanacross three centuries. Some of the scrolls belonged to illustrious personalities, such as Themistocles Zammit and Sir Ugo Mifsud and others to lesser-known personalities, but whose scrolls constitute veritable works of art. Other artefacts include the University coat of arms, the foundation stone (laid at the Msida Campus on 22 September 1964), the model of the Msida University Campus, together with the impressive ceremonial University mace, used for the first time during the ceremony of the installation in office of Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella on 30 June 2016.
During his address, Prof. Alfred J. Vella stated 'I consider it an honour to be Rector of the University of Malta at a time when the institution is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its foundation.' Prof. Vella went on to say that not many Maltese public institutions can boast of such a venerable past: a past that has seen so many thousands of fellow Maltese and others from various corners of the globe graduate in a multitude of academic disciplines.
Prof. William Zammit said, 'the focus of this exhibition consists of early original University of Malta scrolls, awarded to successful students, some of whom were to distinguish themselves in different branches of learning and to contribute to Maltese national development. Most of these documents, some of which may be considered as works of art, are being publicly exhibited for the first time.'
